“What does that mean?”
“Tell me you didn’t wish for him to die.”
Every time I wake up screaming at night, I think about it. Every time I’m out and feel like someone is following me, I think about it. Every new message I receive from Nicole I think about it. “I can’t.”
“He tortured you. He nearly killed you.” Her gaze is clear and bright. There’s no remorse, no guilt. “I made sure he would never get that chance again. I made it so you can feel safe. Isn’t that what you want? I did it for you. For us.”
I take such a deep breath it makes my head swim. When I breathe out, some of my shock goes with it, leaving pins and needles in its wake.
Life hasn’t been fair to us. We were supposed to grow up together in a house with two parents who loved each other as much as they loved us. We were supposed to have silly fights over normal things like makeup and clothes and boys. We were meant to share secrets like our first kiss and cover for each other when we snuck out of the house.
There were parties and school events we should have attended together. Birthdays and Christmases that got ripped from us.
Perhaps if that had been our life, I would have found my voice a lot earlier. Maybe she wouldn’t have been raised by the cruel and evil man who kidnapped our mother, she wouldn’thave murdered anybody, and she wouldn’t be hiding from the law.
I pull her into a hug and hold on tight as my eyes fill with tears. I’m safe. Rogue is safe. Everyone I love is safer with Alec dead. And I have my sister. We have each other. I’m not letting go. I push her to arms’ length so she can see how serious I am. “I’ll take your secret to my grave.”
“About the FBI.” She looks like she’s about to tell me another juicy secret.
The fine hairs on my arms stand up, and I press my finger to her lips. I’m not ready to be aware of everything she’s capable of or how she feels about what she’s done. She and I are different. I wished for his death, but I could’ve never killed him. She could. She did. “I forgive you for Alec and for Jackson. But I need time to process, okay?”
“Sure.” She grabs my hand as the banging from the front of the shop grows louder.
The air is scented with a delicate rose perfume as we reach the end of the hallway. Following her into the room, my steps halt abruptly.
White roses. Hundreds of them organized into centerpieces. The snowy blooms are interspersed with blood red feathers and beads. Each arrangement is wrapped with scarlet ribbon.
My blood runs cold as I take it all in.
“I’ve seen something like this before,” Dizzy whispers, her grip around my fingers tightening.
Me too. The last time Nicole sent flowers to Rogue’s apartment. I wade through the cloying perfume into the middle of the room, right to one of the statuesque arrangements. The roses erupt from a tall copper urn. The petals feel lush under my fingertips. The wicked thorns scratch my hands as I reach for the triangle sticking out from the center.
My skin turns cold and clammy. I can’t seem to get my mouth to work properly as I retrieve the envelope and unstick the seal. Sliding the card from inside, I open it.
To my darling stepdaughter,
May your marriage bring you happiness. For better or worse. For richer or poorer. And most especially in health. I know how ill you were in those last few months before we parted ways. I do hope your illness doesn’t recur.
xx Your loving stepmother.
She’s warning me that she can reach me wherever I am. That she has people who will help her threaten and extort from me while she’s in prison.
“Is she suggesting she plans on poisoning you if you go through with the wedding?” Dizzy asks over my shoulder.
I lick my lips. “I need to call Rogue.”
42
Rebel
“Take my phone,” Summer whispers, “in case he arrests me. I have Kurt’s confession recorded.”
It’s in the back pocket of her pants so I slip it free and tuck it into my jeans. “He won’t do a damn thing, kitten.”
“Should I let him in? I should—” Violet starts.
“I’ve got it,” Owen interrupts with a growl. His long legs eat up the distance to the door.
